Flexible seat mount



Nov. 3, 1953 s. w. KANAVAL FLEXIBLE SEAT MOUNT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledSept. 20, 1951 L 9 R A mm mN VA W K v Nov. 3, 1953 s. w. KANAVALFLEXIBLE SEAT MOUNT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 20, 1951 v INVENTOR.STEPHEN W. KANAVAL Patented Nov. 3, 1953 UNITED STATES 'ATENT OFFICEClaims.

The. present invention relates to a mounting or attaching means forseats, and particularly applies to the application of flexible seats tofolding chairs and similar furniture. The flexible seats of foldingchairs, steamer chairs, and the like are customarily applied to theframes by means of tacks, staples and other common forms of fasteners,which are difficult to remove and re-apply when the seats requirereplacement. The, seats usually are of woven fabric, such as canvas,duck, or sail cloth, and may sometimes be of flexible plastic sheeting,usually reinforced.

An object of the present invention is to provide means whereby theapplication of flexible seats to chair frames is facilitated andexpedited, particularly in the operation of seat replacement, althoughthe invention may as well be employed in the factory production of newchairs.

Another object is to provide a simple and inexpensive means for theapplication or replacement of fabric seats as above stated, withouttheuse of tools and mechanical skill, and with the expenditure of aminimum amount of time and labor,

Another object is to provide a replacement type of flexible seat of thecharacter stated, which will fit chairs of various makes and sizes, sothat the merchant need not stock a great variety, and number of seats inorder to meet the needs.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional viewtaken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front elevation of a portion of a chairconstructed somewhat diiferently than the chair of Fig. 1, but with theimproved seat structure applied thereto.

Fig; 4 is a side elevational view 'ofiachair of the steamertype-embodying the invention. 1

Fig. 5 is detail view showing in cross-section, on an enlarged scale,the manner of applying the improved seat member to the chair-frame.

Fig. 6 is a plan view showing, in flat form, the seat member of Figs. 4and5,

Fig. 7 is aplan view showing, in flat form,

the seat member of Figs. 1, 2am 3.

Fig. 8 is a'detail perspective view of a rod or dowel incorporating aretaining clip In the past, it has been common practice to applyflexible seats to chair frames with the use of tacks, staples, andsimilar fasteners which were difiicult to remove and replace. Thereapplication ofsuch fasteners eventually resulted in splitting andweakening of the wood frame, so that it became necessary to discard thechair only because of the destruction of the two supports whichsuspended the seat, the chair,

otherwise having been in good condition. Moreover, the replacement ofseats on such chairs required a degree of skill in the use of tools, andthe expenditure of considerable time and labor, all of which discouragedthe repair of chairs that might have given much added service.

In addition to the objections stated above, was the further objectionthat seat material was usually purchased by the yard, or in oversizepieces, which resulted in waste due to cutting and fitting the materialto the chair frame; and in those instances where pre-cut seat panelswere available, the purchaser had to determine the make of the chair, orthe size of the seat panel required. Due to frequent repainting, themake of, the chair usually was impossible of determination. In all, theseat replacement job was a rather distasteful procedure.

The present invention eliminates the various objections noted, andrenders easy and practicable the task of seat replacementsv No tools areneeded, and the repair can be completed in a few minutes without theexercize of skill or great patience. Moreover, the improved seats can bepurchased with back-rests to match, and with the assurance that theywill fit almost any make of chair. also, as it eliminates return ofgoods and reduces the great number of different styles and sizes to bekept on hand.

Referring to the drawings, Figs; 1 and 2 showin front elevation one ofseveral common forms,

of'folding, chair, comprising front legs IZ-IZ andrear legs 13-13,joined by the arm rests I i-l4. The rear legs may haveupper extensionsIii-l5 in spaced parallelism, to support a back rest of fabric or otherflexible material. Such back rests, or backs usually consist of arectangular panel 16 having its oppositeends turnedback and stitched, asat H, toprovide vertical hems or tubes receptive of the chair frameextensions 15. Thus, the backs may easily and quickly beapplied to theupright back members of the chair. The various parts above mentioned maybe of wood ormetal, excepting of course, the fiexible'backrest. Thefront and rear legs may be braced elsewhere, than at the arm rests,-,if.

spacedapart insubstantial parallelism, as the Between the side frame isdrawing indicates. located the seat frame, which is foldable or 001-This is of advantage to the merchant lapsible usually into an uprightplane which is parallel to the side frames. In the example shown, theseat frame, i8 is in.the form of an X, duplicated at the front andrearof the chair. Each seat frame may comprise the crossed arms l9 and26 pivoted to one another at 2!, so that said arms may be moved togetherat their upper and lower ends as the chair is collapsed, the lower ends22 of the arms being pivotally attached to the lower ends of the frontlegs l2l2 at the locations 23-23. Brackets 24 secured to the arms 25 and[9 may be employed for the purpose. As will be readily understood, asimilar X-frarrie has the same form of connection with the rear legs ofthe chair at their lower ends.

The X-frames are joined together at their upper ends, by rails 25 and 26which extend from front to rear of the chair, in parallelism with theside frames. The rails are straight members securely fixed to the upperends of the X-frames, and serve as suspension means for the fabric seat2?. As shown in the example, Fig. 2, the rails may have ends 28 and 29which extend forwardly and rearwardly beyond the X-frames l8-l8. In somechair constructions, the rails do not so extend beyond the frames I3l8,but this i a matter immaterial to the invention.

Whereas heretofore the fabric seat 21' was usually attached to the rails25 and 26 by means of tacks or stapIes the present invention disposes ofsuch fasteners and employs instead, rods or dowels 39 which pass throughloops 32 and 33 at the ends of the seat member and rest firmly upon theupper edges 3l-3i of arms 19 and 26, to support the seat across therails. The rods or dowels are readily withdrawable from the loops,either in a forward or rearward direction.

Fig. '7 shows in detail, the flexible-seat member 21, which may compriseav rectangular sheet of fabric or the like having side edges and ends35. The ends may be turned upon themselves and stitched as at 36 toprovide the hems or loops 32 and 53 for reception of the dowels or rods.If desired, one or both ends of the seat member may be provided with asecond hem or loop 37, parallel and adjacent to the stitching 35, saidsecond hem or loop providing an alternative receiver of a dowel or rod,for the purpose of making the seat member fit seat frames of differentsizes. The mode of use of the second hem or loop 31 is illustrated byFig. 3,.wherein the dowel is shown at 3B, and the supporting rail at 38.In the Fig. 3 form ofv chair, the rail 38, the leg 39, and the brace orarm 40 may be of tubular metal, with the leg slotted as at 4| to providea guideway for a pin or extension 42 on the end of the rail, whereby theparts are rendered collapsible in approximately the manner of Fig. 1. Aswill be evident from the disclosure of Fig. 3, either hem 31 or 33 mayaccommodate the dowel, depending upon the normal distance between rails,or the amount of tension desired in the seat member. Bothends of theseat member may be furnished with a multiplicity of hems or loops, ifdesired,to provide for a greater range of adjustability.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, it will be noted that the flexible seatmember may be bodily removed from the chair, by merely withdrawing thedowels or rods 30 from the loops. Reapplication of a seat memberrequires only a reversal of the process, that is, insertion of thedowels or rods into the loops above the inclined frame members l8, l9and 40.

In some forms of chairs, the seat frame members I8 and [9 are applied tothe rails 25 and 25 at a distance from the ends. 28 and, 29 thereof,requiring therefore, that the seat member be notched or cut away as at43 to accommodate the frame members (see Fig. 2). When so notched, theseveral loop sections 32-3232 are aligned and receive the same dowel.The notches 43, as shown by Fig. 7, are parallel to the seat membersides 34, and the width of each notch approximates or slightly exceedsthe thickness of a frame member such as H3, or 40. The base 45 of everynotch, terminates at a distance from the hemmed end of the seat member,which approximates the width of a frame member. The notches may be ofdifferent lengths, as shown upon Fig. '7, or if the hems are identicalat opposite ends of the seat member, the notches may be of equal length.

A flexible seat member constructed in accordance with Fig. '7, will fitmany different makes of chairs. It is possible, whenever necessary, towiden the notches 43 or increase their length, by cutting with ascissors or knife. Also, in any case wherein the notches may not berequired, their presence will not interfere with suspension of the seatmember by the dowels or rods. As will'be understood, the width of theseat member from 34 to 54, approximates the length of a rail such as 25or 38, which rails are fairly well standardized in existing foldingchairs.

The deck chair or steamer chair of Fig. 4, is representative of a classof such chairs which may be treated in accordance with the presentinvention. In general, such chairs comprise a pair of identical sideframes each including a forward leg 41 and a rear leg 48, the leg 41being extended rearwardly and upwardly at 49 to provide a back, and theleg 48 being extended forwardly and upwardly at 55 to constitute asupport for the seat. Rungs 0r rails 5| and 52 join the side framestogether at the front and rear, respectively, of the chair, and theserungs or rails support opposite ends of a long length of fabric 53providing a combination seat and back rest.

The opposite ends of the fabric piece 53 are indicated at 54 and 55 uponFig. 6, and these ends are turned upon the body of the piece andstitched as at 56, to provide transverse hems or loops 5'! and 58 toreceive dowels or rods 60. The looped ends of the piece may be notchedas at 61 and 62, in parallelism with the major axis of the piece. Thisresults in the formation of a series of aligned loops or eyes 51, 51aand 51b, for reception of the rod 60.

Complementary loops or eyes 63a and 83b are applied to the piece 53 at adistance from the ends thereof, and these loops or eyes are narrowerthan the notches GI and 62, so that the loops or eyes may be introducedinto the notches for reception of the rods 60., The relationship is bestillustrated upon Fig. 5, wherein it is seen possible to bring the loop581) into register with loop 6373. so that a suspension rod or dowel maybe passed through the loops from one side frame of the chair to theother, thereby to fully suspend the piece 53 from the'upper rung or rail52. Referring to Fig. 6, it will readily be evident that such rod ordowel will pass through all of the loops or eyes 58a, 63a, 58, 63b, and58b, when the loops or eyes are in registry, with the upper end portion64 of the piece wound about the rail or rung 52, as in Fig. 5. Theseveral loops 63a and 63?) may be stitched or otherwise secured to aface of the piece 53, as at 65.

In constructing the part illustrated by Fig. 6, the number ofinterfitting loops at each end of the part may be varied, if desired.The illustration shows the minimum number of loops that would bepracticable.

While in practice it is found that the rods or dowels 30 of Figs. 1,, 2and 3, or those indicated at 60 of Fig. 6, will remain in theirrespective hems or loops under all ordinary circumstances. it may beconsidered desirable to provide means to preclude accidentaldisplacement of the rods or dowels, particularly when the chairs orarticles of furniture are subjected to frequent folding. Accordingly,the rods or dowels may be provided with one or more clips or retainers,indicated at 67 of Fig. 8. In this figure, the dowel or rod is markedHi. It may be of Wood, metal, plastic or any suitable material capableof performing the function required. The clip may comprise a base 68having a resilient finger 69 disposed along the rod and terminating in ahead H bearing yieldingly against the rod in much the same manner as thecommon writing pen clip, so that when the rod is inserted in a hem orloop as 33, the clip may be caused to grip the fabric of the seatmaterial and thereby oppose withdrawal of the rod or dowel. The clipbase may be secured to the rod or dowel end by means of a small nail,screw, or other fastener 12; however, the manner of attachment and theparticular nature of the clip or retainer, are matters immaterial to thepresent invention and may be subject to considerable variation ormodification.

In all of the illustrations, the use of stitching is suggested forjoining the fabric pieces together; however, it is to be understood thatthe invention contemplates also the use of vulcanization, adhesives orcements, and various forms of mechanical fasteners in effecting thenecessary connections. The flexible materials utilizable in practicingthe invention are subject to selection, and as previously pointed outherein, the forms of chairs illustrated by the drawings are exemplaryonly, and are to be regarded as general types to which the invention maybe applied.

In addition to chairs, the invention is applicable to camp stools andvarious forms of backless chairs, army cots, and the like, all withinthe scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims appendedhereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A folding structure comprising in combination, a plurality ofX-frames each including a pair of inclined crossed arms having upper andlower ends, means pivoting the arms together intermediate their ends,whereby the upper ends may be moved toward and from one another aboutthe pivot means, a pair of rails joining corresponding upper ends of thearms of one frame to those of the other frame, a flexible substantiallyrectangular panel having opposite ends draped over the rails and passingat least half way around the rails, spaced loops at each of said panelends, intermediate spaced loops secured to the panel at a distance fromthe panel ends, the end loops and the intermediate loops being staggeredto interfit in axial alignment, and a pair of displaceable rods eachpassing through all the interfltting loops aligned at one end of thepanel.

2. A folding structure in accordance with claim 1, characterized by thefact that the end loops are in the form of hems formed from the materialof the panel, and the intermediate loops are formed of flexible materialsecured to a face of the panel remote from the ends thereof.

3. For application to a folding chair which includes a pair of X-frameseach comprising a pair of pivoted crossed arms with upper and lowerends, and transverse rails joining corresponding upper ends of the armsof one frame to those of the other frame, a flexible rectangular seatpanel having opposite ends to be draped over the rails and passed atleast half way around the rails, a set of spaced loops at each of saidpanel ends, a set of intermediate spaced loops secured to the panel at adistance from the panel ends, the end loops and the intermediate loopsbeing staggered to interfit in axial alignment, and adapted whenaligned, to receive displaceable rods maintaining the alignedrelationship of the loops.

4. For application to a folding chair which includes a pair of X-frameseach comprising a pair of pivoted crossed arms with upper and lowerends, and transverse rails joining corresponding upper ends of the armsof one frame to those of the other frame, a flexible rectangular seatpanel having opposite ends to be draped over the rails and passed atleast half way around the rails, a set of spaced loops at each of saidpanel ends, a set of intermediate spaced loops secured to the panel at adistance from the panel ends, the end loops and the intermediate loopsat one end of the panel being remote from one another and staggered,whereby upon folding the panel upon itself along a transverse lineintermediate the sets of loops, the loops of the sets are placed inaxial alignment to receive and hold a retaining rod passed therethrough.

5. For application to a folding chair which includes a pair of X-frameseach comprising a pair of pivoted crossed arms with upper and lowerends, and transverse rails joining corresponding upper ends of the armsof one frame to those of the other frame, a flexible rectangular seatpanel having opposite ends to be draped over the rails and passed atleast half way around the rails, a set of spaced loops at each of saidpanel ends, a pair of separate flexible elements each formed to includea set of intermediate spaced loops to interfit between the loops of theset at each panel end, means fixing the flexible elements to one face ofthe seat panel at locations spaced from the panel ends, with the loopsof each flexible element extending toward a panel end but spaced fromsaid end, with the loops staggered to interfit between the panel loopsat the panel ends when the panel is folded upon itself along atransverse line intermediate the sets of loops, the fold placing the endloops and the intermediate loops in axial alignment for reception of aretaining rod passed therethrough.

STEPHEN W. KAN AVAL.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,807,478 Isaacson May 26, 1931 1,871,680 Flanagan Aug. 16,1932 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 155,705 Germany Nov. 3, 1904322,640 Great Britain Dec. 12, 1929 956,986 France Feb. 9, 1950 640,821Great Britain July 26, 1950

